19th July, 2012
The Plateau State Government on Thursday released the burial programme for late Senator Gyang Dantong and the Majority leader in the Plateau House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani.
Both were died in the stampede that ensued after gunmen attacked a funeral ceremony for earlier victims of massacre by Fulani herdsmen in some villages in the state.
Mr Abraham Yiljap, Plateau Commissioner for Information who briefed newsmen in Jos, said also that adequate security would be provided to ensure the success of the ceremony.
According to him, a service will be held at Government House Chapel, Rayfield, Jos at 9 am while final interment would be at the family burial ground.
Yiljap said that a service of songs would be held in honour of late Sen. Dantong on Saturday July 21, at COCIN Church, Tya (Vom), his home, by 3 pm.
The commissioner said that a valedictory session would be organised for Gyang Fulani at the Plateau House of Assembly chambers on Friday, July 20, 2012.
“A service of songs for the two-time member of the State Assembly would be held on July 22, at the Government House Chapel Rayfield while the final interment would be on Monday July 23, at his residence at Rayfield.
“The dates for the funerals were arrived at through consultation with the families of the deceased, National Assembly and Plateau House of Assembly, ” he said.
He said “It is in appreciation of the enormous contributions of both legislators to the democratic governance in Plateau that the State Government has decided to give them a state burial’’.
“We want to assure members of the public that adequate security will be provided during and after the burials.
“The security subcommittee for the burial has been working with the Special Task Force to fine-tune the security arrangements.
Yiljap also commended the deceased for their contributions to the development of the country.
Dantong and Fulani died on Sunday, July 8, in Maseh Village in Riyom Local Government Area.
They had gone to attend the burial of villagers killed in the community by gunmen on 7 July.